14th Annual Narrows Festival of the Arts brings music, food, crafts and fun together for one special day

The Narrows Center for the Arts has built a solid reputation by showcasing world-class musical and visual-art talent for over a decade now. A premier concert venue located in the Battleship Cove area of Fall River, the Narrows features live music and art from the third floor of a century-old mill building, overlooking Narragansett Bay.

Tens of thousands of happy concert-goers and art enthusiasts have been flocking to the center over the years to see their favorite talent, like Johnny Winter, Dave Mason, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown band, Joan Osborne, and more.

Of particular note, is that this non-profit organization has been pulling this off with a primarily volunteer staff. In most circles, this could be summed up as a pretty amazing feat, however, when you consider the passion and deep love for art and music that is characteristic of the staff, “amazing” is a baseline. Or is that, bass line? When you love something, absolutely have a deep-rooted enthusiasm for it, it becomes a fuel that drives one to go above and beyond. That what you get on a visit to the “Narrows,” an experience that is above and beyond.

In addition to great music, the Narrows Center for the Arts has two art galleries solely for showcasing the amazing artwork created by local artists. Conventional mediums like acrylic, watercolor, acrylic, wood, clay and metal are used by these artists, but there is occasionally the “out-of-the-box” mediums, like Legos or guitars.

Complimenting these two galleries are five working artist’s studios which are a dynamic way to browse the artistry during concerts and special events. This is an intimate way to see the creative process up close and personal. Maybe you’ll be inspired!

Narrows Center for the Arts’ love affair also extends to the community and they spend much of their resources hosting food drives, free family events, like the Kid-A-Palooza, music and art classes, music recitals, One of the special events that has endeared them to the community is the Annual Narrows festival of the Arts, which is on its 14th year. This FREE family-oriented brings a positive vibe to the downtown area with its musical line-up, artwork displays, crafts, fare and of course, children’s activities.

Taking place in the historic waterfront district every second Sunday of September, this year’s event lands on September 13th. From 11:00am-7:00pm we’ll feature two stages for musical performances, visual-art displays, arts and craft vendors, food & beverages, and a children’s activity area set up by the Greater Fall River Children’s Museum to keep the kids attention while you enjoy the talent.

The Narrows stage set up inside of the Narrow’s building will start with TJ’s Music All Stars (students of TJ’s Music) at 11:30am, followed by R&B band The Curtis Mayflower, folk singer Heather Maloney, and capping off with solo artist Milton.

The musical lineup tapped for the main stage on Water Street will feature opening act, Grammy-winning R&B group Tiny Tavares and the Rhythm Section (11:30am), followed by blues band Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish (1:30pm), the folk-based group Yarn (3:30pm), and finish with headliner, blues artist and two-time Grammy nominee Shemekia Copeland (5:15pm).

This annual festival takes place at the intersection of Water Street and Anawan Street. If you are the type that likes to enjoy a vibrant, dynamic family-oriented event jam-packed with some stellar musical talent, local artisans’ wares, great food and beverage and children’s activities then you won’t want to miss this year’s Narrow’s Festival of the Arts – once you attend one, you’ll naturally make it an annual tradition. Don’t take my word for it, see what all the locals are raving about on the Narrow’s Center for the Arts review page.